About
While primarily known for his design work in the Midwest, George O’Neil also wintered in Pasadena, California, and was the original designer of the Pasadena Golf Club—a rare example of early sandy-scrub West Coast golf architecture.
George O’Neil was an influential American golf course architect and professional active in the early 20th century. Based primarily in Chicago, he laid out the original course for Beverly Country Club and served as its first golf professional. O’Neil’s reach extended beyond Illinois, with notable courses such as South Bend Country Club in Indiana (1916), and El Campeón (the former Floridian Country Club course) in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida, among his prominent works. Additionally, he designed Pasadena Golf Club in California and spent winters in Pasadena, showcasing his influence on golf architecture across multiple states. O’Neil contributed to golf’s growth in America, embracing both course design and club leadership at an important time for the sport’s development. His courses remain regarded for their strategic design and natural integration with the landscape, and some, like South Bend Country Club, continue to serve as distinguished venues for tournaments.
